If you've been in Qatar for a while, you probably know that the country has some great and delicious traditional dishes like Machboos, Harees, Madrouba, Thareed, Luqaimat, and many more.
There are also many restaurants here in Qatar where you can savour traditional and authentic Qatari cuisine. The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team has listed some of them here in alphabetical order.
'Al Manchab' though not used commonly in the present day, means a 'wooden utensil used to serve food', and is used as a verb: 'to prepare food for serving'. This is exactly what Al Manchab does; it provides a genuine Qatari experience with its traditional food and the kind of hospitality Qatar is famous for. It's a fine dining restaurant where Qatari cuisine, traditions and culture are on full display.
Basta Qatar has a unique Arabian inspired retro decor that adds to the ambience of this fine dining Qatari restaurant where you'll find plenty of delicious Qatari dishes served with a little twist that brings out the flavour and leaves you wanting more.
Belkhams is a traditional Qatari restaurant where you will easily find some of Qatar's most authentic food. Chef Jassim Abdullah is the mastermind behind Belkhams and these traditional dishes. He operates from his villa and his food can be ordered from talabat and other food delivery apps.
Desert Rose Cafe offers Qatari fusion cuisine by Chef Nouf Al Marri, who is one of Qatar's best-known chefs. Located in the National Museum of Qatar, the Desert Rose Cafe serves contemporary local cuisine in a unique setting that's drawn inspiration from the naturally occurring desert rose that can be found in the deserts of Qatar.
Want to eat local food in a traditional setting that showcases Qatari and Khaleeji culture? Be sure to check out Feeh Al Aafia! This two-storey, exquisite fine dining restaurant includes lounges, halls and courtyards, corridors, open dining areas, personalized majlises, and a spacious multi-purpose event hall to cater events, conferences, and private gatherings too!
Gahwetna is a Qatari coffee shop where you can sit and enjoy traditional meals and quick bites or grab and go. Its decor is souq-like and it's been designed in true Qatari style with authentic dishes on its menu that come with a little twist.
When visiting Souq Waqif, you cannot miss the local women cooking and selling delicious authentic Arab dishes like Machboos, Mathroba, Harees, Luqaimat, and Koushari. They also make Rogag (a type of crepe stuffed with Cheese, Chips Oman or Nutella) right in front of you. This is one of the best places in Doha to experience home-cooked Qatari food.
Jiwan has been named after the Arabic word meaning the ‘perfect pearl’ and this has worked itself into the interior of the restaurant located in the National Museum of Qatar. The restaurant showcases Qatari cuisine at its best. When are you going?
Karaki is an exquisite Qatari tea lounge that's sticking to its roots and serving loqaimat which is Qatari sweet. With the tea lounge's friendly and authentic identity that's been taken from various local architectural and cultural elements, you'll truly feel like you're in a Qatari home.
Karak Mqanes believes in preserving Qatari traditions and culture through the local food it serves. The recipes have been passed down by their mothers and grandmothers, so you can get the true taste of Qatari cuisine in a restaurant that's easy on the pocket as well.
Nassayem Qatar is well-known because of its signature Qatari dishes. This fine-dining restaurant at The Diplomatic Club gives a unique take on traditional Qatari dishes and serves it in style so you can enjoy the presentation and the taste that is authentically local.
Park Hyatt Doha's Opus is a composition by Michelin Star Chef Jean-Francois Roquette and is well known for its food that's prepared in an open kitchen and served sharing-style straight to the table just like traditional Qatari food is served. You can dine inside or on the outside terrace.
The word 'saasna' has been derived from the Arabic word 'asaasna' meaning 'origins'. Saasna is a modern and authentic Qatari fine dining restaurant that serves the best of Qatari food that's 100% traditional, with a modern twist, in a contemporary setting.
SMAT means ‘dining table’ in the Khaleeji dialect of Arabic. SMAT Restaurant is a unique restaurant, originally based in Kuwait, that serves signature local Qatari dishes with a contemporary twist to them here in Doha and offers a distinct taste and texture of Qatari cuisine that you must try.
Um Abdelaziz is located in Souq Waqif and stands out because of its outside majlis-style and coloured seating area. You can't miss it; it's usually very busy because it serves authentic and traditional Qatari meals and snacks at a reasonable price.
Shay Al Shomous is an eatery owned by a Qatari lady and the food is as authentically local as it can get. Though it's a small place, it's always busy because the food is great and the prices are reasonable.
Cover image: Qatari Restaurants in Qatar
Follow us on our social media channels:
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar
You have successfully registered your account!
Please confirm your e-mail address by clicking on the URL sent to you.The e-mail usually arrives in 5-10 minutes.How ajeeb was that!? Thanks for contributing to our community! Your post will appear after we take a quick look!